President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday arrived in Ankara, the capital of the Republic of Türkiye, to commence a historic state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between both countries.
On Tuesday, ahead of a formal state reception at the Presidential Palace, T.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid a courtesy visit to President Tinubu at his hotel suite. President Tinubu was later accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace, where he inspected a guard of honour before proceeding into a closed-door bilateral meeting with his host.
The visit comes at a time Nigeria is regaining increased global attention and diplomatic relevance. Observers note that the engagement reflects Nigeria’s renewed standing in international affairs, with Türkiye remaining one of its key strategic partners. Nigeria is Türkiye’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, hosting over 50 Turkish companies with investments exceeding $400 million. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database, Nigeria’s exports to Türkiye stood at $504.67 million in 2024.
President Tinubu’s visit is described as highly consequential, carrying significant economic, diplomatic, and security implications. Several memoranda of understanding were signed between both countries, resulting in tangible outcomes across critical sectors.
The agreements include defence cooperation, the establishment of a joint economy and trade committee, collaboration on halal quality assurance, higher education, media and communication, diaspora policy, and broader educational cooperation. An additional agreement was signed between the Diplomacy Academy of the Republic of Türkiye and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Academy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, President Tinubu emphasised the need for stronger global collaboration in addressing contemporary challenges related to security, peace, and economic inclusion.
He stressed the importance of building inclusive economies, reforming systems to support vulnerable populations, and strengthening collective efforts against terrorism and destabilising forces.
The state visit is expected to further deepen Nigeria–Türkiye relations, delivering lasting dividends in trade, defence, and diplomacy.
